Congressman and Florida gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds (R-FL) on Wednesday slammed a federal judge's ruling to allow an outdoor drag show performance to continue at Cambier Park during Naples Pride Fest next weekend.
"You have to be an adult to enter a strip club, but Clinton-appointed Judge John Steele wants sexually-explicit drag shows to take place next to a popular children’s playground in Naples," Donalds said.
On Tuesday, Steele denied the motion brought by the City of Naples to stop the drag show from happening outdoors. The city wanted to move the show indoors and prohibit anyone 18 and under from attending.
Ultimately, the court found the city did not prove that it would suffer irreparable harm without the restrictions. Cambier Park has been the site of the drag show in the past.
Steele issued an initial preliminary injunction in May that allowed the performance to proceed, citing the LGBTQ+ organizations' First Amendment rights to free speech, even in a limited public forum. The city appealed, saying Naples Pride and the ACLU filed their injunction too late to argue.
The city also requested that Steele issue a stay during the appeal, which ultimately was rejected on Tuesday.
On its website, Naples Pride Fest describes itself as a "family friendly fundraising event" that celebrates diversity and unity while bringing awareness and visibility to the needs of the LGBTQ+ community.
They also clearly say drag entertainers will be present on its main stage. In addition, they say it will feature singers, dancers, and music bands.
Naples is in Florida's 19th Congressional District, which Congressman Donalds represents. He is also running for Florida governor.
In his post, Donalds urged the city to continue to fight Steel's opinion.
